Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Practice Test

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Prepare for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Test with detailed quizzes, flashcards, and explanations for each question. Equip yourself for exam success!

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An ABI measures the difference between which two pulses?

Left and right carotid
Left brachial and left pedal
Left radial and right radial
Surrogate and distal femoral

The correct answer is: Left brachial and left pedal

An Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a test used to assess blood flow and diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD). The ABI is calculated by measuring the ratio of blood pressure in the ankle compared to the blood pressure in the arm (specifically, the brachial artery). The correct answer involves comparing the left brachial pulse with the left pedal pulse. This measurement helps determine how well blood is flowing to the lower limbs in comparison to the upper limbs. A significant difference between these two readings might indicate that there is a blockage or narrowing in the arteries supplying blood to the legs. The other choices involve different pulses that do not capture the specific relationship the ABI is intended to measure. For example, comparing different carotid pulses or radial pulses would not provide information about peripheral artery flow in the way an ABI does, nor does a comparison with surrogate and distal femoral pulses align with the standard ABI methodology, which specifically requires the ankle and brachial pulse measurements for accurate assessment.